Not the most exciting article, but we got a mention: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/26/AR2009082601947.html
:clap:
The operation is designed to hone NORAD's intercept and identification operations and test the NCR Visual Warning System. I doubt the viability of the test when they tell people that at a certain time they will be infiltrated.
Quote from: Cecil DP on August 26, 2009, 11:39:18 PM
The operation is designed to hone NORAD's intercept and identification operations and test the NCR Visual Warning System. I doubt the viability of the test when they tell people that at a certain time they will be infiltrated.
We do it every day, time certain or not. Nothing gets through. The system is multilayered and, if need be, deadly. Your comments are decidely unschooled. Doing these intercepts at night within a few miles of three large airports, several smaller ones, an air force base, and multitudes of national icons requires a bit of "canned" exercise. Remember, the ADIZ and the FRZ are active, as are all of the defenses. If these exercises weren't announced in advance and coordinated with all the players, someone could get killed.
These missions come in all shapes and forms. The visual warning system test should be nothing more than checking to make sure that a warning light that is on 24/7 can actually be seen. There are a bunch of them all around the edges of the DC SFRA to alert pilots that they are about to enter the restricted airspace.
As for the advance warning, yes it takes away a bit of the element of surprise, but nonetheless, it still tests the skills of an intercept pilot, much like CAP's SAREXes, which may lack an element of surprise, but still give a chance to test skills.
Announcements of these tests in the DC area, including mention of CAP, are almost routine. I seem to get them with my news gatherer almost monthly.
I thought this recent article about our airborne intercept practice missions had a much nicer mention of CAP's role:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123164147
Quote from: Pylon on August 27, 2009, 05:35:27 PM
I thought this recent article about our airborne intercept practice missions had a much nicer mention of CAP's role:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123164147
Agreed, nice mention
Any good news about CAP is a welcome sight.
Quote from: Pylon on August 27, 2009, 05:35:27 PM
I thought this recent article about our airborne intercept practice missions had a much nicer mention of CAP's role:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123164147
I'll give that article a big, Hoorah! ;)